Age and CRP levels predict success when tapering biologics in rheumatoid arthritis

DMARD tapering, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis magazine, arthritis digest, arthritis sciencePeople with rheumatoid arthritis may experience more successful tapering of their biologic drugs if they meet a certain set of factors, experts highlighted at a recent international rheumatology conference.

Data from 347 people with rheumatoid arthritis who were being treated with biologic drugs was analysed. A total of 92 people had their treatment tapered, the rest were on stable treatment.

Those who were successfully tapered:

  • Were younger when diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and when they began using biologics;
  • Did not use oral corticosteroids;
  • Had low CRP levels.

“Biologic DMARDs are effective in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but they are associated with high costs and dose-dependent adverse effects,” explains Dr Takaaki Komiya, one of the lead authors. “Biologic DMARD tapering seems to be a feasible approach and it is widely used in clinical practice, but a significant proportion of patients experience relapse.

“The results of this preliminary study may help rheumatologists to differentiate rheumatoid arthritis patients who would successfully down-titrate biologics. This management might result in substantial reduction in costs and possible reduction in dose-dependent side effects.”

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